Chapter 27

Mi stopped by on the Friday night before Dirk and Toni were set to arrive. We walked around the condo and everything looked great. There were things to eat and drink including coffee, but it was not fully stocked. She stayed and had dinner with me before going home to her condo. Kenji had moved out when the top floor was closed for remodeling and they both signed off on the easy divorce. He paid her alimony but not half of his salary. I don’t know where he moved to.

Mi and the driver went to the airport and she had a pad with their names on it so they could find her outside of customs. I thought about going but I wanted Mi to do this on her own. I got busy reviewing reports until there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find Dirk. He was smiling and I got a firm handshake. “It’s good to see you, Nick. I heard how small the apartments in Japan were. I was expecting a cracker box. Our place is nice. This place is even bigger.”

“Come in and have a drink. Is your wife with you?”

“She and Mi went shopping to set us up and Toni knows where things are. It was easy with Mi meeting us and having the car outside. I wouldn’t have guessed this was the first time.”

“She was probably waiting two hours to be safe.” I fixed him a drink and said, “We can grab something easy tonight but I have reservations tomorrow night for a nice meal. I wasn’t sure how tired you’d be after your flight and time zone changes.”

“We’ll probably go to bed early and try to get on a schedule, you know.”

“I completely understand.”

“I talked to Mi about being an interpreter in some meetings. Most people speak English but I always like to know what others are saying. I don’t want to be the one that holds up a negotiation. We have a company that does some manufacturing for us and we have some meetings all week. It starts with a cocktail party on Monday night and then meetings on Tuesday. They expected us to fly in on Monday and be all jet lagged for the meetings. This isn’t my first negotiation. I flew in to make sure they knew we were serious but also to let them know that our answers were final.”

“I think Mi put a massage table in your guest room and she’s been trained in that too. You and Toni should relax and get to bed. I invited Mi to dinner with us tomorrow. So you can be more comfortable with her and also because she can interpret. I speak Japanese well but not as well as she does.”

“Adam says that You’re buying real estate and opening restaurants.”

“Stores and restaurants that help show the Japanese the rest of the world and give the foreigners a taste of home. If you want some Oreos or a Snickers bar, just stop by the store. We’ve got pizza and burgers, and pubs from Great Britain. It’s just something different than everything else out there. The service is also top shelf so people can get in and out faster. So far business is good. Very good.”

“So you plan to stay here?”

“The restaurants will be running themselves by the end of the year. The real estate will be paid for by the profits in eight years. I’ll collect from them for another two or three and then sell them off.”

“Will it be worth your time?”

“I figure the business will be sold for about a hundred and fifty million but still be paying rent to the real estate company. The value of the real estate is where we’ll make the real money.”

“Sounds like you have it planned out.”

“In ten years, I’ll be thirty and have to decide what I want to do with my life.”

“It sounds like a nice problem to have. I didn’t mean to interrupt your day but Mi said that you would want to know that we made it safely and make sure that I knew where you lived.”

“Stop by any time. I don’t have many scheduled meetings. I play cards a couple nights a week. I normally go out to one of my restaurants for quality control and get some dinner and a drink. Tomorrow, be ready to go at 6:30. Reservations are at 7pm and we can’t be late.”

“We may stop by for a drink or to go to dinner tonight but we will be ready at 6pm tomorrow. That way if the wife is a few minutes behind, we’ll still be okay. Suit and tie?”

“Yes. The Japanese can be a little on the formal side.”

It was around dinner time when there was another knock on the door. It was Toni. “Come on down. We did some shopping and have enough for you too.”

“Only if I get a hug first. I can’t be seen being ordered around. I’m the big dog here.”

She gave me a hug and I took her hand as we walked to the elevator and went down one floor. She told me that Mi was a sweetheart and had helped her get the lay of the land and stock the shelves for a week or two. “We even went over to your store, The Rock, and I found some of Dirks favorite beer. It isn’t anything fancy but we found some fresh fish and are cooking it up with some tomatoes, olives, capers and white wine.”

“Sounds better than a couple slices of pizza and a beer.”

We all ate together, including Mi and had a good time. Mi told them that she would be down in the morning to see if they needed anything and she made sure they had her number and mine in case.

Sunday I did my own thing but we all met for dinner. The car dropped us at the small place and we walked into the restaurant with the six seats and the master sushi chef. The hostess seated us and the meal was just as amazing as the first time that I’d been. Even Mi had never been there before and was very impressed that I knew of it and was able to get reservations.

Dirk was very aware of everything and appreciated the skill of the chef. Toni was enjoying it all and having fun. There was one other couple dining with us and Toni was quick to say hello and introduce herself. It was between courses that the woman sitting next to Toni said in broken English, “You’re with the Blonde Bull?”

She wasn’t sure what she meant so she asked Mi to get involved and they spoke in Japanese very fast to sort out what was said. The chef looked up as the women spoke and then looked at me and nodded in a slight bow. I was following most of what was being said and didn’t really want things repeated but it was all true.

Mi heard that I knew some people and had done something to help a few families. The gun wasn’t mentioned but the big cock was whispered. Mi smiled and nodded. When she translated for Toni, she said, “Nick has met a few of the prominent businessmen in Tokyo and they refer to him as the blonde bull because of his size and hair color. He does kind of stand out in a crowd of Japanese.”

The meal was something we would all remember and I bought a bottle of champagne to toast the end of the night. Our tablemates joined us and we all parted as friends. I stayed behind to pay the bill. The chef came over and said, “The meal is on me tonight. My mother was in the casino gambling the night of the heist. She swears that she was next and the man was drawing down on her when you acted.”

“I can pay for this one and you can let me sneak in with another short reservation in the future.”

“I just added another seating and reduced the cost due to double booking. I’m happy to take care of Yuto and now you. I have heard of the blonde bull but didn’t know that you were him.”

“Thank you for another amazing meal. It is truly an honor every time I dine here.” I bowed deeply to the man and he did the same.

“Thank you again for standing up when so many cowered in fear.”

“Give your mom a hug for me.”

“I will.”

Out in the car, my guests were all so thankful for the meal. Dirk said, “Nick, I know that wasn’t cheap. Can I help out with the bill?”

“I would be offended. I appreciate the offer. I did the same thing the first time that I was invited here. The man told me that life is short and the most valuable thing in the world is time. The second most valuable is memories of experiences. I couldn’t tell you what I had to eat at that gala when we met a few weeks ago but I can remember every course of the last time I was here. Investing in experiences and memories is the best place to invest your money and I just invested in all our lives.”

“That’s so poetic, my bull,” Mi said. “Each bite was a slice of perfection. I’ve heard of this place but never knew where it was or how to make a reservation. They say that if you have to ask about the prices, that you’re in the wrong place. Nick, thank you so much and I’ll always cherish tonight and that meal. It was also good to have Dirk and Toni to see a non-Japanese couple appreciate our heritage and our cuisine.”

It was late when we got back to the building. In the elevator, I hit ten and it took us up to the new bar. There was still some work to be done but it was ninety-five percent complete. We all walked out on the patio. I said I used to live here but moved down stairs so that others could appreciate it as much as I did. Mi asked, “Would anyone like coffee or tea?”

I nodded, “If you don’t mind?”

Dirk and Toni both wanted coffee and Toni said that she would go and help Mi. I pulled some chairs around a table and turned on the area heater since it was very cool out. Dirk and I sat down. He said, “I can’t stop thinking about that meal. If I wanted to take out my top managers could I get a reservation?”

“It’s January now but if you wanted to come back in August you could call in your reservation tomorrow.”

“That’s what I thought and you called in a favor for tonight. It will be a night I never forget. He was so precise with everything that he did. I wish I had it on video.”

“Just remember it. The things that are worth remembering will stay with you forever. Maybe coming back in August or later wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Maybe I could get Adam and Tiffany to come over for New Years so we don’t have to eat the gala food.”

He laughed and it wasn’t long before the ladies joined us. We looked out at the city and up at the stars. The coffee was the perfect ending to a great meal. Dirk said, “Tomorrow I was going to read over the contract again to see where we are now and be ready for the changes that we want and what they may propose. Mi, Nick says that you can type, is that correct?”

“I can type. Nick had me get an IBM word processor for typing documents.”

“Can you come by tomorrow and type the existing contract into the word processor and save it to disk and on the hard drive? That will make it easier when we start to make changes. We’ll always have the master on the disk. We can save the versions as we go along. We have a cocktail party tomorrow night and I was hoping you could come with me in case I need an interpreter and also make sure I don’t do something offensive in your culture.”

“I’ll be down in the morning around 9:00am if that’s good?”

“That would be perfect.”

“Toni, you can ride around with me if you want. I’m going to visit some real estate and then have lunch and stop by The Rock.”

“I’ll come up after Mi arrives unless you need to leave earlier.”

“Whenever is fine.”

I was still in a t-shirt and jeans when she came up in the morning. I offered her some coffee and we sat in the family room. “Last night was something special.”

“I’m glad you had fun. I went right to sleep. Alone. All by myself.”

“Haha. We had that kind of fun too but Dirk has been to more high end corporate dinners than he can count and yet the one last night tops all of the others. He wasn’t expecting it and the food and craftsmanship both were beyond anything he’d had before. I wanted to thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Now tell me the story behind the blonde bull. I don’t let much slip by.”

“I’m not sure where it came from exactly. I heard it for the first time myself just the other day but I think I’ve been referred to that way for a while.”

“What have you done to draw attention to yourself since you’ve moved here?”

“Many things.”

“Name a few.”

“We’re getting personal. I think you may owe me a few secrets in return.”

“Deal. Now spill it.”

“I’ve bought property all over the city, opened a cool store, opened new restaurants, killed two men that were robbing a back alley casino and a few other things that were less public but public nonetheless.”

“The way that they said your name, and the looks they gave you were probably because of the robbery. You said you killed two men?”

“I don’t think I said that. I don’t remember any bodies being found or reported missing. I never saw or spoke to the police and have never been accused of killing two of the four men that came in with guns and started shooting people.”

“My dad was a sheriff in Texas and I know what taking a life can do to someone. How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine.”

“Like I said, I’m from Texas. Dirk and I grew up there and then both went to the University of Pennsylvania. He was on a wrestling scholarship. I was on an academic scholarship. Growing up I was a member of 4H and know about stallions and bulls. I know about the alpha male. Would that fit the name description?”

“Did you study psychoanalysis at UPenn?”

“Close. I studied criminal profiling. I wanted to work for the FBI.”

“Interesting career field.”

“It didn’t work out. I wasn’t willing to move to where they wanted me. Dirk had a good position and we made the choice.”

“I’m not pointing fingers or judging. I’m the laziest person I know.”

“So humble. Are you wearing that or changing?”

“I was going to shower. I started working on something around 5am and lost track of time.”

“Go get in the shower and I’ll snoop around.”

“I thought you got out of law enforcement?”

“I did but I still like to snoop.”

The hot water felt good on my body. Afterwards, I went into the closet to get some clothes. She was in my safe room. “Did you find anything interesting?”

“What’s in the safe?”

“A couple guns but mostly it’s full of cash.”

“A lot of cash. Can I see it?”

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

“I don’t have much to show. You can see that I don’t have anything more than an A cup.”

“It isn’t about the size, it’s about the shape. It’s about your eyes, your smile and what is inside; Your soul. All of that is more important to me than the size of your tits or ass.”

“I was talking about the contents of the safe but I’ll show you all of me if you show me all of you and what’s in the safe.”

Dropping the towel to the floor, I walked past her and spun the wheel on the safe before stopping on the right combination of numbers. I let the door swing open and grabbed the holster and gun off the top shelf. The cash was stacked neatly and there were a few empty duffle bags tucked in on top leaving no space unused.

“Damn. I hope Dirk is down there fucking Mi right now. I’m going to tell him that I’m spending the night up here tonight if that’s okay with you.”

“Will he be okay with that?”

“He will be. If you let him watch, it would be a no brainer. I told you that I had to choose between work and my man. I’m a nympho and we both knew that I would be hooked up with more than one guy if we were separated for more than a week or so. Toys are fun but they’re no substitute. I told him that you could be my bull any time.”

“So you have an open marriage?”

“Of sorts. You seem older than your years allow. Have you been with older women before?”

“A few. Mothers, daughters, and a grandmother once. I went to school with her granddaughter. I’ve done the dom-sub thing. Been to and am a member of a sex club in London and never had a full time girlfriend. I’ve lived an interesting life.”

“I’ll say you have. I’m a switch. Some people I connect with as a dom and some as a sub. You, I just connect with. When I saw you at the gala, I wanted you to get a room and take me upstairs.”

“I would have liked nothing better but had promised Adam and Tiffany that I would behave after the incident two years before.”

“You should put some clothes on before I rape you. It isn’t even hard and it’s already big.”

Slipping on a pair of boxers and then pants and a shirt before all the other accessories, I was tying my shoes when I said, “I thought the deal was that you would show me yours.”

“I’ve seen it all so why would I show you?”

“Because a deal is a deal, your word is your word and I’ll spank your ass for being a brat.”

“That sounds kinky,” was what she said as she took off her top and pushed her skirt to the floor. She had on a small bra and cotton panties that looked like they came from the little girls section. She really was small and thin. Her ass was hard and looked good. She had curves, just not big ones. Her breasts were as she said an A cup.

Her nipples were pink and they stood up to attention. I don’t know if she was cold or just horny. I said, “I like them. They’re the perfect size and shape for your body. Do you shop extra small in the women’s department or large in the girls department?”

She blushed but her nipples got harder. “I can fit into the extra small or squeeze into a youth large.”

“I like the panties. No more bras when you come to my place. Your husband can decide what you do when you’re with him.”

“Yes, Sir.” she said as she stood with her feet shoulder width apart with her pubic hair trimmed neat and tidy.

“Get dressed. I think we need to talk to Dirk before this goes too far. I value your friendship more than getting a piece of ass.”

She shivered at my words but hurried up getting her clothes back on and didn’t put a bra on. We went down and found Mi, typing and Dirk reading. He looked up and saw Toni’s face and then noticed her chest with no bra. He smiled at her. She said, “He said our friendship is more important to him than getting a piece of ass. Can you tell him that a bull’s place is fucking the herd?”

“She’s something else. Nick, I hope she didn’t do anything too crazy. Have fun with her while she’s here. Mi has already said that if Toni is okay with it that she would be more than just an interpreter while we’re in town. Just don’t try to take her away.”

“Can I mark her up?”

“As in?”

“Big red hand prints from spankings come to mind. If she’s a good girl I might get those nipples pierced or maybe a tattoo of a bull somewhere on her body.”

“Spankings are a yes, the other two are maybe. Let me think about it.”

“If you change your mind, let me know but until you tell me, I own her ass.”

“Let me get back to work. It’s almost time for my massage and it comes with a happy ending.”

As we got in the elevator, I pressed the button for level two. She asked, “Aren’t we going back to your apartment?”

“Later. We have plans for the day, remember?”

“Yes but I’m horny.”

“You brought that on yourself.” I stopped by the door to my car and opened the door for her.

She looked at the car, looked at me and then sat down, making sure that she gave me a crotch shot view of her cotton panties. I told her to buckle up as I closed the door. We were soon on the road and we were heading toward the north end of town, near the university. When I was in fourth gear, I took my hand off of the shifter and put it on her thigh. She spread her legs to give me access. I rubbed her through her panties while we drove. It didn’t take us too long and I was soon parking the car.

We walked into a three-story building. One of Yuto’s men was there and he had been finding real estate for us for a while. I said hello to him and he led me inside. He showed me all three floors on the way up and explained his vision of the layout and needed renovations on the way down. I approved the price he quoted and we did the same thing with two more properties. People just stopped asking about how we got such low prices. I couldn’t tell you.

After looking at properties, we stopped in at one of the Red Lion Pubs. We slid into a high-backed booth, both on the same side with her between me and the wall. I ordered a pint and a shot of whiskey and a pint for the girl. The waitress knew who I was and didn’t card her. When the drinks came, Toni, downed the shot of whiskey and took a good sip of beer. I had the Reuben and she had the fish and chips.